Racing the ocean

A beautiful book chronicles the history of the Oahu-to-Molokai canoe regatta

Peter Caldwell's new coffee-table book "Molokai-Oahu Through the Years: A History of the Molokai Outrigger Canoe Race" is a breathtaking summary of Hawaii's iconic event.

"Molokai-Oahu Through the Years: A History of the Molokai Outrigger Canoe Race"

by Peter Caldwell

(Editions Limited)

Hardcover, $39

Veterans of the early years will tell you he missed a few things, but unless you were there and know of the juicy tidbits that escaped this weighty volume, you'll get a thorough sense of how the channel race evolved -- politically and on the water.

Caldwell and his researchers perused 50 years of sports articles (remember microfilm?) in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and the Honolulu Advertiser, and gathered stories and photographs from paddlers. His engaging writing style immerses the reader and covers plenty of ground.

There are harrowing tales of crossing a stretch of ocean that is notoriously unpredictable. University of Hawaii oceanographer Rick Grigg said in the book that the Kaiwi Channel is "the worst possible combination of swell, current, and bottom topography." Strong winds can add "stomach-churning turbulence" and "chaos."

Jim Becker wrote in a 1966 edition of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin about his ride on an escort boat: "Many times we were within 100 feet of our canoe and couldn't see it for the Mount Everests of water that rose in the way."

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The Kaiwi Channel is a treacherous crossing in the Molokai Outrigger Canoe Race.

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Two Outrigger members rejoiced after their second straight win, in 1999.

The author also profiles several paddling veterans, including Toots Minvielle, who lobbied for the race back in 1948 to revive interest in canoeing, and Nappy Napolean, who completed his 48th consecutive Kaiwi Channel crossing in 2006.

But the photographs define the book, and undoubtedly will initiate colorful conversations and unearth more than a few memories.

One of the best pictures is a shot of George Downing and Dutchy Kino working on a loose ama in the middle of the channel during the first crossing of 1952, when three koa canoes entered the race. A soggy blanket covered the bow of the canoe in a rudimentary (and probably unsuccessful) effort to keep water out of the boat. Other amusing pictures show race competitors sleeping on the beach next to their canoes the night before the big event.

Caldwell wisely tackles the Molokai Hoe men's event and the Na Wahine o ke Kai women's race separately. The women's race didn't begin until 1979 because the endeavor was thought to be too grueling for women.

The retired pediatrician/author has lived in Hawaii for more than 35 years and completed the Molokai race eight times -- twice as a steersman. In his introduction, he called his book "a cultural link to the past." But it's also a lot of fun.

COURTESY EDITIONS LIMITED
During the 1952 crossing George Downing and Dutchy Kino hopped into the water to secure a loose ama.